First thing's first. Bob Kane, seen here posing as if he is painting a frame from Batman, is credited as the creator of the caped crusader. Milton "Bill" Finger contributed to the concept as well, but often goes uncredited.
Kane had the idea for Batman, but dressed him in red tights with no gloves, a domino mask, with big bat wings protruding from his back as he swung from a rope. Bill Finger suggested Kane redraw the character with a cowl, a cape, and no red coloring. Finger also allegedly developed Bruce Wayne, Batman's millionaire playboy alter ego.
Shoot Date November 19, 1965.
(Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images) less

First thing's first. Bob Kane, seen here posing as if he is painting a frame from Batman, is credited as the creator of the caped crusader. Milton "Bill" Finger contributed to the concept as well, but often ... more

Photo: ABC Photo Archives, Getty

First thing's first. Bob Kane, seen here posing as if he is... Photo-6633856.90269 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Douglas Croft and Lewis Wilson were the first on-screen duo to portray Batman and Robin in the film 'Batman', 1943.

Douglas Croft and Lewis Wilson were the first on-screen duo to portray Batman and Robin in the film 'Batman', 1943.

Here, Burt Ward, Yvonne Craig (as Batgirl), and Adam West pose in costume for a still for the Batman television show in the 1960s. Ward and West reprised their roles for the 1966 "Batman" movie. Craig was absent for the film. less

Here, Burt Ward, Yvonne Craig (as Batgirl), and Adam West pose in costume for a still for the Batman television show in the 1960s. Ward and West reprised their roles for the 1966 "Batman" movie. Craig was ... more

Lee Meriwether played Catwoman, otherwise known as Comrade Kitanya 'Kitka' Irenya Tantanya Karenska Alisoff' in the film, 'Batman', 1966. The film spin-off from the television series was directed by Les H. Martinson. less

Lee Meriwether played Catwoman, otherwise known as Comrade Kitanya 'Kitka' Irenya Tantanya Karenska Alisoff' in the film, 'Batman', 1966. The film spin-off from the television series was directed by Les H. ... more

From left to right, we have Frank Gorshin (1933-2005), Cesar Romero (1907-1994), Lee Meriwether, and Burgess Meredith (1907-1997) in a publicity still issued for the film, 'Batman', 1966. The film spin-off from the television series featuring DC Comics characters, directed by Les H Martinson, starred Gorshin as 'The Riddler', Meriwether as 'Catwoman/Comrade Kitanya 'Kitka' Irenya Tantanya Karenska Alisoff', Romero as 'The Joker', and Meredith as 'The Penguin'. less

From left to right, we have Frank Gorshin (1933-2005), Cesar Romero (1907-1994), Lee Meriwether, and Burgess Meredith (1907-1997) in a publicity still issued for the film, 'Batman', 1966. The film spin-off from ... more

Photo: Silver Screen Collection, Getty

From left to right, we have Frank Gorshin (1933-2005), Cesar Romero... Photo-6633380.90269 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Burt Ward and Adam West both in costume as they exit the Batmobile in the television series, "Batman" in 1966. Like Batman, the Batmobile evolved considerably over the years.

Burt Ward and Adam West both in costume as they exit the Batmobile in the television series, "Batman" in 1966. Like Batman, the Batmobile evolved considerably over the years.

Photo: Silver Screen Collection, Getty

Burt Ward and Adam West both in costume as they exit the Batmobile... Photo-6633379.90269 - Beaumont Enterprise

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While this isn't the Batmobile, it's one of the many amazing Bat-themed vehicles of the Batman universe: The Batboat. Here, Adam West and Burt Ward drive the boat for the film "Batman" (1966).

While this isn't the Batmobile, it's one of the many amazing Bat-themed vehicles of the Batman universe: The Batboat. Here, Adam West and Burt Ward drive the boat for the film "Batman" (1966).

Photo: Silver Screen Collection, Getty

While this isn't the Batmobile, it's one of the many... Photo-6633382.90269 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Film director Tim Burton -- notably of "Beetlejuice" (1988), "Edward Scissor Hands" (1990), and "Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993), brought the Batman franchise to new heights with 1989's "Batman." Here, he is standing on top of the Batmobile at Pinewood Studios, Buckinghamshire during the filming of the first of his two Batman movies. less

Film director Tim Burton -- notably of "Beetlejuice" (1988), "Edward Scissor Hands" (1990), and "Nightmare Before Christmas" (1993), brought the Batman franchise to new heights with 1989's "Batman." Here, he is ... more

Warner Bros. originally cast Nicholson as the Joker, but when he hesitated to accept the role, Robin Williams was offered the part. Williams was unknowingly used as bait to push Nicholson to take the role. When he found out he was the bait to facilitate the deal, Williams said he would never take another Warner Bros. role until the studio apologized. Williams refused the role of The Riddler in "Batman Forever" (1995) as a result.

In taking the Joker role, Nicholson included a clause in the contract granting him a certain percentage of not only "Batman's" box office gross, but a piece of every future Batman movie. Nicholson's taken home more than $100 million from the agreement so far.

Here's the Batmobile used in "Batman" and "Batman Returns" on display outside of the Bayfront Hilton during Comic-Con International 2012 held at San Diego Convention Center on July 12, 2012 in San Diego, California. less

Here's the Batmobile used in "Batman" and "Batman Returns" on display outside of the Bayfront Hilton during Comic-Con International 2012 held at San Diego Convention Center on July 12, 2012 in San Diego, ... more

Despite the success of 1989's "Batman" and the follow-up, "Batman Returns," Warner Bros. changed direction to make the franchise more appealing to mainstream audiences. Warner Bros. dropped Tim Burton as the director (who came on board as a producer for "Batman Forever") and picked up Joel Schumacher to replace him.

Schumacher directed "Batman Forever" in 1995 and "Batman & Robin" in 1997.
Before you blame Schumacher for the cinematic atrocity that was "Batman & Robin," Schumacher approached the studio and tried to take the franchise into its darker roots. Schumacher proposed a movie adaptation of the comic "Batman: Year One" by Frank Miller. The studio regrettably denied the request and pushed "Batman & Robin" through.
(Photo by Steve Grayson/Newsmakers)

Despite the success of 1989's "Batman" and the follow-up, "Batman Returns," Warner Bros. changed direction to make the franchise more appealing to mainstream audiences. Warner Bros. dropped Tim Burton as the ... more

Michael Keaton didn't like the change much and dropped out of the production. The studio scooped up Val Kilmer as a replacement, who played Batman opposite Chris O'Donnell as Robin in "Batman Forever" (1995).

Michael Keaton didn't like the change much and dropped out of the production. The studio scooped up Val Kilmer as a replacement, who played Batman opposite Chris O'Donnell as Robin in "Batman Forever" (1995).

Photo: Getty Images, Getty

Michael Keaton didn't like the change much and dropped out of... Photo-6633508.90269 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Tommy Lee Jones (left) played the District Attorney turned gangster Two-Face in 1995's "Batman Forever." Jim Carrey played the Riddler, otherwise known as Edward Nygma or E. Nygma. Get it?

Tommy Lee Jones (left) played the District Attorney turned gangster Two-Face in 1995's "Batman Forever." Jim Carrey played the Riddler, otherwise known as Edward Nygma or E. Nygma. Get it?

The Batmobile used in the Val Kilmer-led "Batman Forever" posed on the lawn at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel on July 12, 2012 in San Diego, California.

The Batmobile used in the Val Kilmer-led "Batman Forever" posed on the lawn at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hotel on July 12, 2012 in San Diego, California.

Photo: Christopher Polk, Getty

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"Batman & Robin" (1997) took all the positive momentum from Tim Burton and Michael Keaton's Batman trilogy and threw it directly into the garbage. Starring George Clooney and Chris O'Donnell as Batman and Robin respectively, this movie is often regarded as the worst big market superhero movie ever. Clooney went so far as to say he "destroyed" the Batman role after this movie. According to IMDB, he also literally destroyed a lot of Batman suits in that he and his stunt double went through 50 rubber suits.

This was sadly the last Batman movie franchise creator Bob Kane saw before he died a year later.

"Batman & Robin" (1997) took all the positive momentum from Tim Burton and Michael Keaton's Batman trilogy and threw it directly into the garbage. Starring George Clooney and Chris O'Donnell as Batman and Robin ... more

Former governor of California and action star Arnold Schwarzenegger played Mr. Freeze in "Batman & Robin" (1997). Among the madness that was that movie, Schwarzenegger's awful ice word play really stuck out like icicles in your ear. The "playful" language included, and was unfortunately not limited to, "let's kick some ice," "always winterize your pipes" (prior to freezing pipes), "cool party," "ice to meet you," and this inexplicably horrendous misrepresentation of theoretical science: "What killed the dinosaurs... THE ICE AGE!"

Schwarzenegger received $25 million for the role and top billing over George Clooney's Batman.

Former governor of California and action star Arnold Schwarzenegger played Mr. Freeze in "Batman & Robin" (1997). Among the madness that was that movie, Schwarzenegger's awful ice word play really stuck out ... more

Director Christopher Nolan -- known for "Memento" (2000), "The Prestige" (2006), and "Inception" (2010) -- took the smoldering remains of the Batman franchise and produced some of the finest on-screen adventures featuring caped crusader with "Batman Begins" (2005), "The Dark Knight" (2008) and "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012). (Photo by Harold Cunningham/WireImage) less

Director Christopher Nolan -- known for "Memento" (2000), "The Prestige" (2006), and "Inception" (2010) -- took the smoldering remains of the Batman franchise and produced some of the finest on-screen ... more

Christian Bale picked up the suit in "Batman Begins" (2005) after Christopher Nolan revitalized the franchise with his Dark Knight trilogy. Katie Holmes played Rachel Dawes, but didn't reprise her role as the love interest in 2008's sequel, "The Dark Knight." Maggie Gyllenhaal took the role in the sequel. less

Christian Bale picked up the suit in "Batman Begins" (2005) after Christopher Nolan revitalized the franchise with his Dark Knight trilogy. Katie Holmes played Rachel Dawes, but didn't reprise her role as the ... more

The late Heath Ledger starred as the Joker in Warner Bros. sequel to 2005's "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight" (2008). Ledger said he locked himself up in a London hotel room for a month while preparing for the role. He kept a diary of his process, which was released to the public in 2013. His performance was reportedly influenced by a trifecta of odd performances and people, namely Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols, Malcolm McDowell in Stanley Kubrick's "A Clockwork Orange" (1971), and a Tom Waits interview from an Australian television talk show in 1979.

Ledger passed months before the film's release. His Joker is widely regarded as one of the best on-screen villains ever.

The late Heath Ledger starred as the Joker in Warner Bros. sequel to 2005's "Batman Begins," "The Dark Knight" (2008). Ledger said he locked himself up in a London hotel room for a month while preparing for the ... more

Photo: Warner Bros., Getty

The late Heath Ledger starred as the Joker in Warner Bros. sequel... Photo-6633221.90269 - Beaumont Enterprise

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The Batmobile, or "Tumbler," from the first two Chris Nolan movies, "Batman Begins" (2005) and "The Dark Knight" (2008) abandoned the long, sleek design of the former Batman movies. Stocky and armored like a special-forces turtle, the Tumbler seemed a little more grounded and practical.

Here, Batmobile arrives at the European premiere of "Batman Begins" at the Odeon Leicester Square on June 12, 2005 in London, England.

The Batmobile, or "Tumbler," from the first two Chris Nolan movies, "Batman Begins" (2005) and "The Dark Knight" (2008) abandoned the long, sleek design of the former Batman movies. Stocky and armored like a ... more

Photo: Gareth Davies, Getty

The Batmobile, or "Tumbler," from the first two Chris... Photo-6633512.90269 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Christian Bale (left) and Tom Hardy (right) duke it out during one of the fight scenes in 2012's "Dark Knight Rises." Bale, obviously in the role as Batman, took more than a few good licks from Hardy's Bane over the course of the film.

Speaking of Tom Hardy's performance, the mask he used in tandem with his accent made his voice nearly impossible to understand. So much so that Hardy had to re-record his lines for the movie. Director Nolan resisted to the change at first, but caved like the Gotham Knights football field when test audiences couldn't understand a word.

Christian Bale (left) and Tom Hardy (right) duke it out during one of the fight scenes in 2012's "Dark Knight Rises." Bale, obviously in the role as Batman, took more than a few good licks from Hardy's Bane ... more

Anne Hathaway played Catwoman in the final movie of Chris Nolan's Batman trilogy, "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012). Here she is riding on the Batcycle.

Anne Hathaway played Catwoman in the final movie of Chris Nolan's Batman trilogy, "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012). Here she is riding on the Batcycle.

Photo: Aby Baker, Getty

Anne Hathaway played Catwoman in the final movie of Chris... Photo-6633225.90269 - Beaumont Enterprise

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This is the Batmobile, or "Tumbler", used in "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012) on display outside of the Bayfront Hilton during Comic-Con International 2012 held at San Diego Convention Center on July 12, 2012 in San Diego, CA. It's pretty much a replica of the previous model, but with a sweet desert camo paint job, presumably used to hide amongst the boundless wasteland known as Gotham City, or Chicago. less

This is the Batmobile, or "Tumbler", used in "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012) on display outside of the Bayfront Hilton during Comic-Con International 2012 held at San Diego Convention Center on July 12, 2012 ... more

Photo: Albert L. Ortega, Getty

This is the Batmobile, or "Tumbler", used in "The... Photo-6633511.90269 - Beaumont Enterprise

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Miles Scott, dressed as Batkid, gestures as he exits the Batmobile to throw the ceremonial first pitch before an opening day baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks in San Francisco, Tuesday, April 8, 2014. Batkid hasn't appeared in any Batman films quite yet, but let's be honest, it's only a matter of time. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, Pool) less

Miles Scott, dressed as Batkid, gestures as he exits the Batmobile to throw the ceremonial first pitch before an opening day baseball game between the San Francisco Giants and the Arizona Diamondbacks in San ... more

Photo: Eric Risberg, Getty

Miles Scott, dressed as Batkid, gestures as he exits the Batmobile... Photo-6633509.90269 - Beaumont Enterprise